Natural Ingredients
This section covers naturally derived substances that are not herbs, mushrooms or essential oils: honey and other bee products, algae and seaweed, food-based ingredients, oils and butters, and clays and charcoal. People search for these for food, skin care, supplements and sometimes wound care, and the evidence for one use does not carry over to another.
"Natural" does not mean unprocessed, safe or effective. Each guide separates food, skin and medical uses, says what human research shows, and flags the real risks, such as honey for infants and iodine in seaweed. The chemical compound database is separate, in the Research Library.
Natural Ingredient Safety
- Never give honey to a baby under 12 months. It can cause infant botulism.
- Seaweed and kelp can contain very large amounts of iodine, which matters for thyroid conditions.
- Do not treat a poisoning at home with activated charcoal, and do not swallow clays or products meant for skin.
- Bee products can cause allergic reactions. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222; call 911 for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing.
Explore by ingredient group
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Bee-Derived Ingredients
Honey and other bee products.
See the directory -
Marine & Algae-Derived Ingredients
Spirulina, chlorella, seaweed and sea moss.
See the directory -
Food-Based Ingredients
Apple cider vinegar, cacao, oats.
See the directory -
Oils, Fats & Butters
Coconut, olive, castor, jojoba, shea.
See the directory -
Resins & Complex Natural Substances
Mastic gum, shilajit.
See the directory -
Processed & Mineral-Based Ingredients
Clays, charcoal, Epsom salt.
See the directory
What Does "Natural" Mean?
What "natural", "organic" and "chemical-free" do and do not mean.
Skin Moisturizing & Barrier Care
Skin moisturizing and barrier care: what FDA recognizes and what research shows.
Detox & Cleanse Claims
What research says about detoxes, cleanses, charcoal and clay.
Quality, Labels & Identity
Ingredient identity, purity and contamination, and what certifications cannot tell you.
Comparisons
Spirulina vs chlorella, honey vs manuka honey. No rankings.
Natural Ingredient Research & Evidence
How much human research exists and how to judge a claim.
Featured guides
Our first ingredient guides are being written and reviewed. We publish a guide only when it is sourced and ready.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a natural ingredient here?
Naturally derived substances that are not herbs, mushrooms or essential oils, such as honey, algae and clays.
Does natural mean safe?
No. Honey can cause infant botulism, and seaweed can contain large amounts of iodine. [1][2]
Do detox products work?
NIH's NCCIH found no compelling research that detox diets eliminate toxins. [3]
References
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Infant botulism. National Library of Medicine.
- American Thyroid Association. ATA Statement on the Potential Risks of Excess Iodine Ingestion and Exposure.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). "Detoxes" and "Cleanses": What You Need To Know.
Content last updated . This section has not been medically reviewed.